Website

E-mail

Reader enquiries

Visitor and event information

Telephone

Visitor and Event enquiries

0161 306 0555

Fax

0161 834 5574

All information is drawn from or provided by the venues themselves and every effort is made to ensure it is correct. Please remember to double check opening hours with the venue concerned before making a special visit.

The John Rylands Library merged with Manchester University Library in 1972 to form the John Rylands University Library of Manchester.

Venue Type:

Library, Archive

Opening hours

For visitors:Mon 12.00-17.00 Tues-Sat 10.00-17.00 Sun 12.00-17.00

The library is closed on Good Friday, Easter Sunday and between Christmas and New Year.

Admission charges

The John Rylands Library is a public library, open to everyone. Entry is free.

Additional info

The Library's collections are open to Readers aged 18 and over. However, to look at special material, a letter of reference is required.

The special collections and Manchester Medical Society Library are Designated Collections of national importance.

The special collections represent an outstanding national and regional resource, combining material of international significance with collections directly relevant to the history and wider impact of Manchester and the North West. The Manchester Medical Society Library contains medical printed books dating between c. 1800-1950, associated with the Manchester Medical Society.

Collection details

Social History, Literature, Archives

Key artists and exhibits

Methodist Archives and Research Centre

Labour History Archive and Study Centre

Designated Collection

Exhibition details are listed below, you may need to scroll down to see them all.

Exhibition (temporary)

Loving Illumination - Paintings of Light

4 December 2014 — 29 March 2015 *on now

In this exhibition artist Judith Hurst explores the interconnectivity of science, maths, religion and art.

Working on vellum, and using inlays of exotic wood and precious metals, Judith interprets the patterns she sees in the fabric of our universe – from microscopic molecular structures to the vastness of space – to produce richly decorated ‘paintings of light’.

Suitable for

Website

Third Thursday Late: An evening of cabaret with First Draft

19 March 2015 7-9:30pm

The John Rylands Library will be joining forces with First Draft to host a very special night of cabaret inspired by some of our most intriguing and often hidden treasures. Expect laughter, insight and lots and lots of applause!

Suitable for

Website

Curating Magic

6 May 2015 12-1pm

This monthly series of lunchtime talks introduces the new John Rylands Research Institute and its vibrant research portfolio. Each informal, accessible seminar showcases cutting-edge research on documents from the last 3,000 years, illustrating how the Library's world-class collections are shaping knowledge in fields from papyrus to photography, theology to the occult.

Speakers: Dr Sasha Handley, Lecturer in Early Modern Cultural History, The University of Manchester Dr Jenny Spinks, Lecturer in Early Modern History, The University of Manchester

Suitable for

Website

Encountering Italy

3 June 2015 12-1pm

This monthly series of lunchtime talks introduces the new John Rylands Research Institute and its vibrant research portfolio. Each informal, accessible seminar showcases cutting-edge research on documents from the last 3,000 years, illustrating how the Library's world-class collections are shaping knowledge in fields from papyrus to photography, theology to the occult.

Speakers: Dr Guyda Armstrong, Senior Lecturer in Italian, The University of Manchester Caroline Checkley-Scott, Collection Care Manager, The University of Manchester Library Anne-Marie Stead, Italian Studies, The University of Manchester